Announcing the Thomas Keneally Oration

We are honoured to announce that Thomas Keneally AO will deliver the inaugural Thomas Keneally Oration at the 2026 Manly Writers’ Festival on Thursday, 19 March 2026.

The Oration will be a cornerstone event for the festival, recognising Keneally’s remarkable contribution to Australian literature, public thought, and cultural life. His decades of storytelling, advocacy, and social commentary have shaped the nation’s understanding of itself.

Keneally is the multi-award-winning author of more than 50 works, including Schindler’s Ark, The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith, and The People’s Train. His writing spans fiction, history, memoir, and essays—each infused with his trademark humanity, curiosity, and moral clarity.

Reflecting on his role as the inaugural Orator, Keneally said:

“Storytelling is essential for the human core, and it is essential to how we remain a civil society.”

Tickets for the Thomas Keneally Oration are now available.

Book via Humanitix → https://events.humanitix.com/manly-writers-festival-2026/tickets

The Thomas Keneally Oration is supported by the TAG Family Foundation.